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Expressway agency leaders on the hot seat

State lawmakers review a troubled history.

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Published January 14, 2007

TAMPA - Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority leaders pleaded for the embattled agency's life Saturday morning as state legislators, who have the power to save or dissolve it, reacted with skepticism.

The Hillsborough County legislative delegation had called Expressway Authority leaders before them to answer questions as they prepare bills affecting the agency's future.

Before the discussion even began, Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, chairman of the delegation, asked that interim executive director Stephen L. Reich, interim general counsel Rhea Law, and chairman James Hargrett, a former Democratic state senator from Tampa, join them around the meeting table: "We certainly don't want this to be adversarial, he said.

Still, for the next two hours, lawmakers lashed out at the agency, calling it dysfunctional, and describing it as leaving a "gross distaste" in their mouths.

The agency started to crumble in 2004 when a portion of the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway collapsed. The construction consultant company that worked on the project was scrutinized and the agency was put under a microscope. Investigations by several agencies, including the auditor general, found problems of financial mismanagement and revelations of inappropriate behavior by the agency's then executive director.

State Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, said by his calculations, over almost a five-year period, the Expressway Authority spent more than $1.5-million on communications consultants "to alter public perception of the trouble you all had gotten into.

"I find that remarkably irresponsible," he said, joining lawmakers calling for change.

Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, filed a bill last week that would create a new regional transportation authority to pay for transportation projects in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

Where does the Expressway Authority stand if this regional authority is created?

Ultimately, it should remain intact and keep an eye on Hillsborough's tax dollars and make sure they aren't used for another county's projects, Crist said.

He has his own bill calling for a change in the way the board is governed. Now, a majority of the board is people who don't hold local office and are appointed by the governor. Crist's bill would call for representatives chosen by city councils and the County Commission.

"The Expressway Authority seems more focused on self-preservation than on mission," Crist said.

Hargrett, the newly elected chairman for the Expressway Authority, reiterated that change was afoot. "I don't know what more we can do to demonstrate our seriousness," Hargrett told the lawmakers. "All I can say is that we've turned a page. I am asking for your help."

Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, whose office conducted its own inquiry, said, "I'm not quite ready to turn the page with you, Senator. I hope to do so eventually."

Reich, the interim director, also pleaded the agency's case: "I believe you will see and continue to see a change in the way this organization does business."

When Ambler congratulated Hargrett on being elected Expressway Authority chairman, Hargrett replied: "Thank you ... I think."

Dong-Phuong Nguyen can be reached at nguyen@sptimes.com or (813) 269-5312.

[Last modified January 14, 2007, 00:18:58]